Whisky Review: SMWS “Exotic Cargo” 10 Years Old

Style: Sherry and Fruity

Nose:

Begins with red licorice followed by peppermint, green paprika carefully dusted with white pepper giving some hotness to the aroma. Sherry fruits notes gently weaving into a layer of fragrant stewed fruits. Sweet and perfumed, very nice… Going deeper you find more red grapes and almonds which slowly evolves to a light creamy touch towards the end.

Palate:

Signatures of Oloroso Sherry are served upfront on the palate. Butterscotch, red fruits running on a sharp peppermint edge. Fruit cake drizzled with maple syrup, autumn apples and strawberries on the side. Chocolate almonds and stewed fruits gradually step back and join the white pepper spices at the background. Finishes with a brush of soft, wobbly malt.

First-fill Spanish Oak Sherry Hogshead, aged 10 years, we have a high-spec blended malt with a fitting name, Exotic Cargo – layers of fruitiness gracefully guided by bountiful sherry notes, nice texture and delicate delivery. I think Sherry fans will be happy with this… The bottle strength is cleverly curated at 50%, flavours are punchy enough for regular cask strength drinkers (that’s all SMWS members) but not overwhelmingly so which it allows nuances to develop. Sherry, fruity, easy drinking with decent complexities. Well done.